How can I find a whiskey I like?

Question

I've tried several whiskies here and there over the years and I know what kind I like but I've no idea which one to buy. I have always preferred the strong ones that give a bit of a 'burn' . I'm not so keen on the smoother ones (bourbon?). Oh,. and yes, what are the differences between bourbon, scotch, single malt etc; etc;

Thanks!

Answer 1

try them all!!!!! ull b real drunk though

Answer 2

My husband loves Glenfidich, it's probably one of the best for the price.

Here's a little guide to the different types of whiskies avaible.

American blended whiskey must be at least 20% straight whiskey. Bulked out with neutral grain spirit, sherry can be added for colour. If it contains 51% or more of the appropriate straight whiskey, it can be designated as blended bourbon or blended rye.

Australian whiskey is made from barley, maize and millet. Australian malt whiskey must be 100% barley malt, and must be aged for at least two years. Australian blended whiskey must be 25% or more malt, and also be aged for at least two years. Most Australian whiskey drinkers opt for Scotch or bourbon.

Bonded whiskey, or bottled in bond, is a whiskey produced in the USA aged under government supervision. Must be 100 proof, and aged for at least four years, and is produced from a single distillation.

Bourbon is produced in the USA, and must be distilled from a mash containing 51-79% maize (corn). It must be aged a minimum of two years. It must be distilled to no more than 80% alcohol. If it is younger than four years, this must be stated on the bottle. Bourbon is usually double-distilled, to about 65% alcohol. The mash is often over 75% maize, with the remainder being malted barley and rye. All bourbons today are sour mash bourbons.

Canadian whisky must be aged for a minimum of three years, and can be made from rye, maize and barley or barley malt. Most Canadian whiskies are blends with a very high content of neutral spirit. Up to 2% by volume can be added flavourings, such as sherry, plum wine, etc.

Corn whiskey is US whiskey distilled from 80% or more maize. The legal version of moonshine.

De Luxe whisky - some blends are described as "De Luxe"; currently all De Luxe Scotch is at least 35% malt whisky, but this is not required, and in any case, is sometimes exceeded by non-de luxe blends.

Irish whiskey is made in Ireland, aged for a minimum of three years. Most Irish whiskies are blends, Irish malts are usually unpeated.

Malt whisk(e)y is distilled from barley malt. A large number of malt whiskies are made in Scotland, others in other countries, such as Japan, New Zealand and Germany.

Rye whiskey is distilled from a mash containing at least 51% rye.

Scotch whisky is distilled in Scotland, and aged a minumum of three years. Scotch can be either malt or grain whisky; the overwhelming majority of Scotch sold is a blend of both. Some blends have caramel added to colour them. Most Scotch is double-distilled. Scottish malts are often heavily flavoured with peat smoke.

Sour mash whiskey is made by adding some of the previous batch to the new mash. All bourbons and Tennessee whiskeys today are sour mash whiskeys.

Straight Whiskey is pure whiskey, undiluted by neutral spirit or other flavourings. In the USA, straight whiskey must be aged in charred barrels.

Tennessee whiskey is similar to bourbon, with same 51-79% corn mash, minimum of two years aging. However, it is also charcoal filtered, or charcoal mellowed by the Lincoln County process, adding extra flavour and smoothness.

Answer 3

scotch is a blended whisky, single malt is unblended and considered the best , Bourbon i think is an American term for a smooth type whisky, the best thing to do is try them all to find one that suits your palate best, personally i prefer rum or vodka

Answer 4

So we've ascertained that you like Whisky/Whiskey, the only way to find out what you like is to drink lots of different whiskies.

I know a bit about Scotch, so I'll talk about that; Scotch is the only form of Whisky to be spelt without and e, and can only be produced in Scotland (UK). A single malt whisky is a type of scotch what has been fermented from one type of malt grain and then aged. A Blended whisky is a mix of different malts to give a broader spectrum of flavours.

Scotch is usually aged in old sherry casks, and two bottles of the same malt can have subtle but noticeable differences in flavour. But generally each region of Scotland will have it's own distinct notes. My personal favourite is Islay malt (Lagavulin and Laphroaig) both are very smoky and have strong peaty flavour although I'm also partial to a sweet and tingly malt too, whereas Lowland malts have more smooth and subtle flavours.

When starting out on Scotch, you need to define the flavours that you like (and all Scotch burn if taken straight up). To best work that out is to try the high quality blends, Johnny Walker Black Label, or Chivas Regal always taken on the rocks in order for all the flavours to be revealed (normally a scotch is too strong and will desensitise the taste buds). From there you can ask your barman to recommend malts you like based on your prefered tastes.

Sorry it's so long but whisky is a complex topic.

Answer 5

It's a very broad area of answers that can be given to your questions. But your taste is simply your own; you'll have to find it by experimentation. But I find that research to be a lot of fun, myself...

There are several varieties of whiskey, or whisky (this spelling is reserved for Scotch, BTW), including blends, such as bourbon, Canadian, rye and some Irish whiskey; and single malts, of which almost all are Scotch.

A single malt is aged in a wooden barrel for a certain number of years, acquiring flavour by the interaction of the liquid with the interior of the barrel, especially if the interior is intentionally charred or has some other flavouring added. Generally, the longer a whiskey ages, the smoother its taste, and the more expensive it it.

A blended whiskey of any variety usually has a base of one malt, but mixed in with whiskeys aged for less time, thereby adulterating it with the younger stuff, but allowing for quicker turnover and a less expensive product.

Really, just keep trying as many varieties as you can, and see what you like. I highly recommend the various forms of Scotch; it is considered the refinement of the art of whisky-making, and there are hundreds to choose from, in the four whisky-producing regions of Scotland. Have fun!

Answer 6

I hate whiskey- try vodka or rum instead.

Answer 7

I know that scotch is blended ie: 4 different whiskys blended to make one scotch

Answer 8

Bourbon is made from rye. Scotch is whisky made in Scotland and has a distinctive peaty taste. The water used has come off the moors where it it naturally filtered through the peaty soil. Malt whisky is the purest and the very best. Other whisky such as White Horse, Teachers etc are what one might call young whisky with an amount of malt whisky blended with it. The more malt Whisky added the better the taste. Hence all ordinary whiskies are labelled as Blended. Hope this helps you to appreciate the different flavours. CHEERS

Answer 9

I can take it or leave it (whiskey I mean) but the one I really love is Paddys Irish whiskey it is like drinking nectar. No burn, just a lovely warm sensation. The other one I like is Jamesons. Try it you might like it !

Answer 10

Bourbon def gives a kick, and has been around for years; Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Black Velvet. These are strong drinks, some drink them strait shooter, some with Pepsi or Coke,etc. You should be able to handle your alcohol before drinking these, as they can be potent, and work quickly. Not to sure about the Scotch, never really dabbled in them, I have heard of them being good "over rocks" or on ice. Now the Malts I have never been a fan of personally....malt liquor, like adding a dairy product or fruity substance to your liquor. Either way, its all a personal preference.

My advice to you would be to NEVER mix these drinks... meaning, if you are going to drink them, do not try a little of this and that in one setting. Could def. cause the vomiting session to take place and cause black out, especially if you are inexperienced. I wouldn't recommend any of them, as drinking is not all it's cracked up to be.

Good luck and God Bless!!!

- Experienced.

Answer 11

It can take a lifetime. But it's fun trying. :-)

Answer 12

Scotch whisky has to be made in Scotland, a malt is one kind of whisky usually aged for a while whereas blended is a mixture of young malts.

Answer 13

try a few minatures, or different types when in the pub, much better than spending ££££'s on a bottle then finding you dont like it. try getting one from each region from scotland as a rule of thumb they have there own distinct taste, Islay, highlands, lowlands and speyside, my personal choice  would be an nice macallen but each to there own

Answer 14

as we speak im drinking a lovely glass of glenfiddich,single malt,12 year old,caoran reserve- caoran-(gaelic for peat ember) i have drank many different whiskeys-scotches and this is a lovely smooth drink. if you want rough - ignore this.

Answer 15

hang out with hobos, they like the ones that burn too

Answer 16

drink em' all up!

Answer 17

To find out how a whisky truly tastes, pour about an ounce in a glass and add just a splash of water (no ice, no coke, etc.). The water is used to 'unlock' the full flavor. Take a sip and swish it around your mouth for several second (noticing how the taste changes depending on what part of the tongue it is on before swallowing).  

It's best to have 2 or 3 different brands so you can try them back to back.

Or if you want to bypass all that taste-testing, just go out and buy some Maker's Mark.

Answer 18

Hic! Ahem Sorry can you repeat the question - Pleeeeeeeash. That was a braw dram a kin tell ye.

Answer 19

Arrange a holiday in Moray in Scotland and go on the whiskey trail.

Answer 20

crown royal is my favorite whiskey...ever.and yeah bourbon is the smoother of the two.the difference is scotch is meant to be rough but it has a bit of sweetness to it, bourbon is just smoother tasting and has less of a burn.